ELECTION DEBATE - Five days before the country goes to the polls, the lead candidates from Luxembourg’s four major political parties have shared how they are feeling, and their priorities if they are to assume power. In a debate on RTL Tele, Sam Tanson of the Green party, incumbent Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of the DP, Luc Frieden of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) and Paulette Lenert from the LSAP spoke about the challenges for the future as well as tax policy. Other topics were housing, climate crisis, reduction of working hours, pensions and the risk of poverty.
LUX-BRUSSELS TRAIN - Efforts are underway to make the train journey between Luxembourg City and Brussels more appealing to commuters. Minister for Mobility François Bausch and his Belgian counterpart Georges Gilkinet formalised the commitment by signing a letter of intent on Tuesday. The primary objective is to reduce the travel time between Luxembourg City’s central railway station and Brussels to two hours by the year 2030.
ITALY ACCIDENT - Italian officials say at least 21 people have died after a bus crashed over a flyover and caught fire near the city of Venice. 2 children are among the dead. Over 20 people are injured, many of them in critical condition. According to city officials, the fatalities included Ukrainian tourists as well as German and French citizens.
US SPEAKER - The US House of Representatives has voted to oust the Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy. It’s the first time in history that the chamber has removed its speaker from office. The vote has left Congress in unchartered waters as it scrambles to pass government funding bills and consider further aid to Ukraine.
UKRAINE AID - US President Biden has called key allies to reassure them of continued US support for Ukraine despite the chaos in Washington. EU Commission President Von der Leyen spoke of a good conversation and NATO leader Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of continued support to Ukraine”. The EU has proposed new financial aid in the amount of 50 billion euros.
VATICAN CONGRESS - Pope Francis opens a major congress on the future of the Catholic Church today, marked by tensions with conservatives on issues such as the treatment of divorcees and LGBTQ believers. The World Synod of Bishops will take place over four weeks in Rome, in the wake of a two-year global consultation that will also address topics such as women deacons and priestly celibacy.
FOOTBALL - In the Champions League, Bayern won 2-1 against Copenhagen last night. Lens beat Arsenal 2-1. Braga won 3-2 against Union Berlin. Manchester United lost 2-3 against Galatasaray Istanbul. Real Madrid beat Napoli 3-2. And Inter Milan won 1-0 against Benfica. This evening, among others, Dortmund plays against AC Milan.
RUGBY - In the rugby world cup, in the run up to the game between New Zealand and Uruguay tomorrow, New Zealand head coach Ian Foster wants his team to show some “edge” as the All Blacks seek to sew up a quarter-final spot in the competition. Having plundered 25 tries and 167 points in their last two matches against Namibia and Italy, New Zealand are expected to beat Uruguay.
It’ll be a foggy start, but once that lifts we’ll just get clouds to replace it. There is a small chance of some sun rays later on if we’re lucky. Morning temperatures will start at a chilly 7-10°C, climbing to around 16-18°C in the afternoon.
Be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour and headlines at half past the hour on Today Radio. You can also access the news via Alexa, and on RTL Play.
